1
: something that is swollen
specifically
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
2
: the condition of being swollen
Examples of swelling in a Sentence
There was a swelling above her eye.
The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonah was intubated and sedated for five days in intensive care, the goal to minimize his swelling.
—
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Allergy testing is often even more important if your child has any signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the mouth and throat as well as dizziness, clammy skin, and difficulty breathing).
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
About 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die, the CDC says.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
In November 2024, the actor announced his stage 3 non-Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis exclusively with PEOPLE, after an upper respiratory infection led to the swelling of his lymph nodes, prompting him to get tested and diagnosed the month prior.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
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Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Allergy testing is often even more important if your child has any signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the mouth and throat as well as dizziness, clammy skin, and difficulty breathing).
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
About 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die, the CDC says.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
In November 2024, the actor announced his stage 3 non-Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis exclusively with PEOPLE, after an upper respiratory infection led to the swelling of his lymph nodes, prompting him to get tested and diagnosed the month prior.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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